In college basketball, ascending from the junior college ranks is a tricky juggling act.
On one hand, each and every player on a junior college roster is using his spot as a stepping stone, preferably toward a place featuring a bigger stage and more challenging competition. On the other hand, basketball at any level remains a team game, and playing at a level where the individual showcase is the primary goal runs counter to the wisdom of most coaches.
J’Vonne Hadley tackled this balancing act last year with the same traits that could make him a fan favorite this season at the CU Events Center — effort, grit and determination.
Hadley turned in an impressive unofficial debut with head coach Tad Boyle’s Buffaloes on Sunday during CU’s charity exhibition against Nebraska. And as the Buffs set their sights on Monday’s season opener at home against UC Riverside (6 p.m., Pac-12 Mountain), Hadley owns the inside track at a starting role. At the very least, he will be a key component in whatever success CU enjoys during the 2022-23 season.
“It felt great, just being out there with my teammates against somebody else thatap not ourselves,” Hadley said. “Just being in front of our fans. I know it wasn’t a normal home game, itap an exhibition, but seeing all the fans out there supporting us, it makes you feel good to have those people there for you.”
As is custom, Boyle has not publicly anointed a starting lineup, but much of that first five was largely apparent throughout the offseason. Nique Clifford and Tristan da Silva were returning starters. KJ Simpson (point guard) and Lawson Lovering (center) were the players to beat at their respective spots. That left just one hole to fill, and the player that emerged was Hadley.
Certainly itap not a given Hadley will be in the starting five when the Buffs tip the season off on Monday, but if Boyle was confident enough to give Hadley a start in the final dress rehearsal, Hadley’s play gave Boyle no reasons to reconsider. He went 5-for-9 and made his only free throw attempt, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and no turnovers in 25 minutes, 19 seconds of floor time.
Often it takes time for transfers from any level to adjust to their new team. Boyle says Hadley, from Indian Hills Community College, made an impression almost immediately.
“In terms of playing at this level and being successful, it was relatively early. Probably a month into our summer workouts,” Boyle said. “His energy level, his toughness, just his grit, really stood out.”
On multiple occasions, Boyle has credited the work of associate head coach Mike Rohn in landing Hadley after the recruitment of Bobi Klintman (now at Wake Forest) fell through. A few months ago Hadley may have been considered a backup plan, but if all goes well, the plan now is for Hadley to be a fixture in the rotation for years to come.
“The biggest thing for me is just knowing my role,” Hadley said. “I don’t always have to score the ball. One of the big things in my game is I like to get assists. I like to find my open teammates. I like to play hard. I like to be that energy. I like to do all the little things that not too many other people like to do.”
